Featured African Ebony? mother & child plaque

hi folks, something i picked up today

just thought the carving was quite nice, and quite a tender image

its really shiny, and actually photos better with flash

don't know if its a stained something or a proper african dark wood

theres initials on the back Km

a really nice dark wood, just seems a rich colour wood

any thoughts appreciated

 

Very nice, charlie. It is probably Makonde, although this is a style I don't know.

 

thank Aj, i'll look into that , its got more of a realistic look that most african pieces i have seen, especially the female

 

With that headscarf/veil I wonder if it is the virgin Mary and child.

 

I think Madonna and Child too.

Debora

 

not so tender that one deb, but yes similar vein

edit, joke didn't really work

 

Throw it in the kitchen sink. If it sinks it's probably ebony. Dont forget to put water in first.

 

thanks bud, its a sinker for sure, trouble is all the black came off in the water...



only yoking, tried it with acetone as well and didn't leave any marks

don't think i've had any real ebony before apart from with violin necks

its a real beautiful wood, with incredible shine

 

Okay glad it worked. Now I know it's safe I'm going to try it on my pieces.

 

To be honest I never thought of trying it before. My mams partner who used to be a shop fitter, said to me ages ago 'Whats the only two types of wood that sink in water'. I guessed ebony. I looked it up earlier and apparently there are 17, most of which I've never heard of.

I've just tried it on my figurines and they both sink. I'm guessing that they are ebony but not definite. They are two tone and the outer wood is much more pale.

 

yeah i think it mentions boxwood as well which is used a lot in chinese carvings, i'm hoping its safe to sell, think i read something about that recently, or a certain type anyway

 

Sorry not that au fait with species protection laws.